Communists Attacking Along Allied Defence Lines In South-Eastern Korea

Wanganui Chronicle, 5 September 1950, Page 5

Communists Attacking Along Allied Defence Lines In South-Eastern Korea

Americans Fight Desperately To Hold Every Inch Of Territory

TOKIO, Sept. 4 (Recd. 10.35 p.m.)—The Communists today were attacking all over the United Nations’ defence lines in southeast. Korea except the sector held by the Aiherican 2nd Infantry Division, which is counter-attacking, supported by the American Ist Marine Brigade.

In the southern flank of the American 25th Division the Communists this morning launched a heavy attack following probing action during the night. Infiltrating columns with mortars >enetrated up to six miles from the rent line to points well east of laman. American Intelligence officers estimated that ayieast 28,000 Communist troops, including numerous trainees and labour brigade conscripts, have been thrown into this sector since the Communists started the offensive there on September 1. However, reserve units of the 25th Division are reported to have restored the positions, relieving isolated American units. The Reuter correspondent described the 25th Division front as “mixed up,” with the Americans and the Communists grimly seeking each other in driving rain. The North Koreans on the Taegu front stormed into the walled town of Kasan, 10 miles north of Taegu. Latest reports state that the Communists moved out of Kasan in an obvious attempt to approach closer to Taegu. The North Koreans last night were holding a bridgehead about 12 miles deep and 20 miles wide in the 'Yongan area, into which they poured elements of three infantry divisions with supporting armour. The Ist United States Marine Brigade drove back the attackers a mile after a bitter battle In which the Americans had to fight desperately for every inch of territory. The Communists threw in mortar and heavy machine-gun fire in an attempt to dislodge the entrenched Marines, but the Americans held firm. The United Press correspondent says the Americans have won the Battle of Masan after three days of the bitterest fighting of the Korean war, in which United States troops have killed or wounded more than 12,000 of the enemy. All American positions were intact today and tne

> greatest threat to Masan and Pusan was eliminated. Pohang, second best Allied port in 1 South Korea, was in grave danger toll day with the enemy closing in from three directions. The North Koreans, moving from the west, gained a hill s overlooking a railway station on the ’ outskirts of the town. Other forces, I also moving from the west, captured Angang-ni, eight miles to the south- • west of Pohang, cutting the main t road to Pusan and Taegu. The North 5 Koreans attacked savagely from the ! north of Pohang but were held by the ! South Koreans. BRITISH RECONNAISSANCE ’ Brigadier B. A. Coad, commander of the British forces in Korea, today 1 made a reconnaissance of the battle , area in front of the site where the ! new camp has been established. He was accompanied by the American ’ general commanding the formation to 1 which the British forces have been attached. There is no indication when p the British forces will be committed I but it is known that they are hopeful 5 that this will be delayed until the . arrival of certain equipment which has not yet come to hand. However, , they are perfectly prepared to go into s action in their present condition i should the call come.